A system for rapid radiochemical separations from aqueous solutions

Abstract For the study of short-lived fission products, an automatic system has been developed that allows to irradiate aqueous solutions sealed in polystyrene capsules, to separate chemically the radioactive products formed, and to start counting, all within a few seconds. Irradiations are performed in a pneumatic tube system installed in a horizontal beam hole of a reactor. The capsule is projected into a separation apparatus where it breaks by impact. Its content is then sucked through a thin reactive layer that takes up the desired product. The whole sequence of irradiation, transportation, chemical separation, and counting is controlled by automatic timers. The adaption of this technique to a conventional pneumatic system is also described.